Diocese of Joliet names new director of communications for the Diocese of Joliet

Bishop Ronald A. Hicks has appointed Mary Massingale as director of communications for the Diocese of Joliet, effective March 22.

Massingale’s “will formulate and oversee an overall communications strategy that furthers the mission of the Catholic Church in the diocese,” according to a news release from the Diocese of Joliet.

Since 2011, Massingale has worked as director of communications for the Catholic Conference of Illinois. This is the public policy arm of the Catholic church at the Illinois Capitol.

While in that role, Massingale “raised the organization’s public profile beyond Illinois state lawmakers through media relations,” the release said. She created written, digital, social media, video and audio content.

Massingale has also worked as a public affairs journalist. She covered the Illinois Legislature and state government and focused on issues in the areas of social services and social justice.

Massingale won first-place awards from Capitalbeat during her time with the State Journal-Register in Springfield. Capitolbeat is a national association, which provides training and support to statehouse reporters and editors.

She also previously served in communications roles for a collaboration of three statewide nursing home associations and the Illinois Education Association.

Massingale earned her bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Western Illinois University and her master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield.